New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-09
TIE INTERSTA1ELAW.
POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
xxssRs. MORRISON AND BRAGG REPLY TO CRITICISMS
SENATOR sPoONER's OPINION.

WASHINGTON, April So The Baltimore Sun of
to-day contains lending editorial questioning the
authority of the Interstate Commissioners to suspend
the operation of Section of the Interstate Commerce
law on the petition and exparte adavits submitted
by the Southern Railway and Steamship Association.
One passage In the editorial reads:
authority RsH g % III.
oonss%pissed Sy the Known RIinstpIs Of
Xna .@Is When ri: 70
: :s% f s.s Tns
tended wen BE nssssn 70 e fa and
There .ea sO ,h Sss Eve
s4s s :fS is
on fl nj: s' ana sa sSe history
t; s o he DC Ts rule Of
Construction.
Commenting on this, Commissioner Bragg said
The matter was very carefully considered. We had
before us the statement OF these folks that the
facts we're thus and and that to enforce this parc
MAR part OF the law would ruin the railroads and
greatly nure the interests Of the people We investi
gated the matter tar enough to satisfy ourselves
that thorough investig alton necessary, and oil
We did v as to give ourselves three months time IN
which to- look carefully into the case. ANY ordinary
court would require at least Biz months before .
decision could be reached. To fire right into the rail-
roads and the public without trial would 90 IKE hgh-
waymanry. We cannot DO everywhere at the same
time. We cannot in an hour 60 to Atlanta to Chi
caeo and to Boston. We have to give ourselves
acme time tor investigation. We have the sworn
statement that If this clause into ehect these
roads will be ruined We cannot let the RUIN come
and investigate afterward. Even Jeffries used to
give hearing sometimes before ne sentenced
him Our suspension of this clause pending
decision does not commit in any way, and In the
order O reserve the right to revoke IL at any time
If we should come decision before the ninety days
we can revoke The order There is no question as to
our authority to make the order. We nre unanimous
on that point. There never was man since ADAM am
was boy who could sit here IN Washington ana tell
everything that was going on in she Union. We have
got to travel about and look into these matters
cannot decide Oh. hand" -.
In regard to tho matter Commissioners horrl-
son said We did investigate; we investigated sum
GENTLY to satisfy and we arc the judges o. the
question, under the law. no ava the man wDO wrV e
does not know 10 what extent we investigated inc
subject"
study the subject of regulating Interstate Com
merce and particularly to the existing law, said to
Star" reporter to-day in regard to the act OF the
Commission suspcDdng the operations OF the fourth
section ninety Gays. that the Board had not eI-
ceeded it's legitimate powers; and he continued,
broader power is lodged In the Commission than 1t
act he turned to the provision which authorizes the
Commission. alter investigation, to permit common
carrier to charge less for long than for for short
haul q O. and the section concludes, the Commits
sion may to time, prescribe the extent TO
which such designated carriei may be renewed
from the operation ot this section OF this act
Under this clause Senator Spooler holds, the Board
has broader powers than it has exercised
The first appointment by the Interstate Commission
was made today. The recipient is E. L. Pulh, O son
of the Alabama Senator whose influence was exerted
in behalf of Captain Braggs appointment as one OF
the Commissioners. The Captain has lost no ume IN
showing his gratitude in substantial manner I Ii
said that the appointment OF secretary and aus
bursting clerk will be made next week. The Commits
sioners inclined already to suggest that the apPo
priaton mt their disposal is rather small and may DE
inadequate The sum is 100 600 and it Is to pay tns
clerks we'll travelling expenses rent furniture,
fuel and other incidental expenses for period OF
fifteen months l he salaries Of the Commissioners
and their secretary and Disturbing clerk for fifteen
months will 10 1000 the item OF rent 1or
the same period ia $500 for the Commission has
obtained roomy and convenient quarters. This Will
leave only $40 500 for clerk hire and travelling and
other incidental expenses. 1t seems probable that
Congress III be called Oh next winter Tor denciehcy
appropriation.
CHICAGO April s-A move IL on foot 10 send on from
this city protest Of leading merchants and shippers
against the action OF the Interstate Commission In sus
pending the operation OF the long and short haul clause
at various points special grievance here the aus
Swaukeo '~~0
LOUISVILLE AND NASHVILLE FAVORED.
LOUISVILLE, April (Special).-The decision OF the
Interstate Commissioners exempting the Southern
Steam .hi, and Railway Associations from the fourth
clause of the new Law has created stir here The
Louisville and Nashville il the only road Of the
association having line north Of the Ohio. This runs
from Evansville 10 St. Louis. Under the decision the
Louisville aud Nashville can carry property from ST.
Louis to the south at the rates in effect March 81
The other roads out of St Louis must maintain the
rates recently made to conform to the requirements OF
the new law Under the old tariff the through rate
from East st. Louis to the South grain and pro-
visions was only cents higher than the rate from
Louisville to the same Southern points. Under the
new tariff the IRON ST. LOuis to Louisville is IL
cents. Accordingly the Louisville and Nashville ex
poets to all the grain and provision BUSINESS TO The
South, viii III is large at this season General Freight
Agent Cup, OF the Louisville and Nashville, CLAIMS
that the other roads exept IRON the fourth CLAUSE
under the words aud 10 points northerly thercrom
in the COMMISSIONER decision.
EFFECT OF THE LAW on WOOL TRAFFIC.
Boston, April (Speciai-The New Hampshire CORE
spondent Of The Journal sends the following In reference
effect of the Interstate law "walter Burleigh,
woobuyer OF Franklin has been informed by dealers In
Boston freight tariff which the Interstate
law imposes is creating so much uncertainty among man
uacuers that they undecided what 10 do In regard
to purchasing wool 1t is said that the Sawyer Woolen
Manufacturing Company Of Dover cannot get wool from
California to by rail for less than So 20 hundred
while the former rate was sixty cents hundred ga,
This OF course. win prove virtual prohibition upon the
importation Of California wool TO Dover"
COMPLAINT FROM MISSISSIPPI
JACKSON. Miss, April 8.The working of the Inter
state Commerce law affects jackson seriously 80 far
All special rates have been withdrawn and the general
tariff increased by from Ave to thirty per cent Numer
GUS complaints heard account OF excessive freight
charges.
THE COMMISSION SITUATION UNCHANGED
There were no developments In the commission
question yesterday. The Eastern agents here OF the
roads have not accepted the Interchange
regulations of the trunk lines which involve the abo
ton of commissions still waiting for positive instrac
lions from before they undertake the sale Of
their own tckets The only change In tho position OF
affairs the turning to the wall OF the through
tickets over Chicago Burlington aud Quincy which
ordered Thursday. as announced In yesterdays
TRIBUNE
The question of tho liability of the express companies